Using real-time surveillance

We support local areas in the Suicide Prevention Programme to use real-time surveillance to track the number of probable suicide deaths in their area.   

Why use real-time surveillance? 

Due, in part, to delays in legal processes (i.e. the time lag between an unexpected death being reported and it receiving a coroner’s conclusion at an inquest), real-time suicide data is difficult to obtain. This makes it difficult to implement targeted support to prevent suicide.

Real-time surveillance systems allow you to track the number of suspected deaths by suicide in your area in real-time. This gives you more up-to-date information about suicide in your area and helps you to identify and implement support to prevent suicide in a timelier manner. 

Examples of real-time surveillance

The following local areas have real-time surveillance systems:

• Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire & Berkshire West STP
• Bath, Swindon, Wiltshire STP
• Cambridge and Peterborough STP
• Cheshire & Merseyside STP
• Cornwall and Isles of Scilly STP
• Devon ICS
• Dorset ICS
• Lancashire & South Cumbria ICS
• Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership
• Norfolk and Waveney STP
• North Central London STP
• North East and North Cumbria ICS
• South Yorkshire & Bassetlaw
• Somerset STP
• Suffolk and North East Essex ICS
  

Examples of good practice

• South Yorkshire & Bassetlaw - RTS (PDF)
• Lancashire and South Cumbria - RTS and Contagion Responses